Archive for the ‘ Gospel ’ Category
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Isaiah 9:2, ESV
We all walk in the darkness of sin, unable to break through. God came to us in the Person of Jesus, the source of light breaking through our darkness.
By this light we are saved from sin.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7, ESV
We don’t want to love others, but the God who came to us to show His love can fill us with His love to then want to love others.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came to live amongst us, teaching the truths of God and proving them with miracles, signs, and wonders.
Even the religious elite could see it, but they could not understand without help.
If the most religious and smartest could not understand the ways of God, what hope could the rest of us have?
What does Jesus tell us about salvation?
Born of water: baptism does play a role, but this also tells us that only humans can be saved. (Fallen angels cannot be saved.)
Born of the Spirit: only those who believe and receive the Holy Spirit can be saved. (John 16:7-15)
This is difficult to comprehend, but only by trusting the Holy Spirit and the truth of the gospel of Christ can we inherit eternal life in Christ.
Jesus came to bring us life free from sin and in eternity with Him.
Christ has come, and we must seek the wisdom of His Holy Spirit and forgiveness of sins. (James 1:5; 1 John 1:9)
May we seek the Lord who has offered us His Holy Spirit, salvation, and eternal life.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:1-3, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came to live amongst us, teaching the truths of God and proving them with miracles, signs, and wonders.
Even the religious elite could see it.
The Messiah had come! It must be the Prophet that Moses spoke of (Deuteronomy 18:15-22), the one who would restore Israel!
The Savior had indeed finally come, but He was not what was expected.
To follow Him, to be saved, means becoming a new – renewed – person.
Jesus said we must be born again, but even one of the great teachers of Israel could not comprehend it.
Salvation is simultaneously so simple to grasp yet so difficult to understand.
Like Nicodemus, we must be wise enough to seek the Savior and to understand His teachings.
Christ has come, but we must seek Him and ask for wisdom. (Matthew 6:33; James 1:5)
May we seek the Lord who has offered us His wisdom and salvation.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14, ESV
God came to us, and He told us what to expect: the impossible. But what is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27), especially our salvation.
And He lived with us to buy our salvation.
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2:22-23, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came to live amongst us, bringing danger to His earthly family.
Though one danger may pass, it does not mean all danger is gone.
We still see that God protects His own.
The one who tried to kill fellow image-bearers in an attempt to destroy God had died, but his just as twisted son took his place.
God once again sent a dream to Joseph to protect this family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were still not completely safe, but in this moment we can see that God keeps His promises.
God was not surprised by any of the events surrounding the birth and early childhood of Jesus. In fact, He had it prophesied centuries earlier.
There were still those who would hurt the young Jesus and God’s faithful servants.
This world may not be safe, and we also know that this world is not our home, but we can rely on the promises and prophecies of God.
Again, Christ has shown us how to live and trust and love in the midst of danger.
May we seek the Lord who has saved us from sin and shown us His power over time, death, and evil.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32, ESV
We celebrate that our God has redeemed us, forgiven us our sins.
Now, we turn to others (even in the Church), showing the same kindness and forgiveness He has shown to us that they may also celebrate with us.
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
Matthew 2:19-20, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came to live amongst us, bringing danger to His earthly family.
The promises we get from God are that those of the world will hate us for following Him, so it is dangerous to follow Christ. (John 15:18-25)
We still see that God protects His own.
The one who tried to kill fellow image-bearers in an attempt to destroy God had died, and God told Jesus’ family they could safely return home.
Likewise, we know that we face dangers from those in this world who want to do the same as Herod, and sometimes this includes our own thoughts and actions.
So we also know that this world is not our home, and Christ has defeated the power that still influences our lives. (John 16:33)
Christ has shown us how to live and trust and love in the midst of danger.
He did not give in, but He made a way for us to join Him in our eternal home.
May we seek the Lord who has saved us from sin and protects us from the ultimate effects of sin.
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3, ESV
Our God has saved us, and He sends us to show others salvation in Christ. With every new believer we rejoice and worship our Savior.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4, ESV
Our God has saved us from our sin and offered hope of eternal life.
Let us rejoice and worship our Lord for His great work and love!
a simple man of God 